{"id":199078,"date":"2020-02-07T19:09:15","date_gmt":"2020-02-07T16:09:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ww-vb.mine.nu\/w108\/the-soft-power-of-the-romantic-dress\/"},"modified":"2020-02-07T19:09:15","modified_gmt":"2020-02-07T16:09:15","slug":"the-soft-power-of-the-romantic-dress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/the-soft-power-of-the-romantic-dress\/","title":{"rendered":"The soft power of the romantic dress"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Once upon a time, the word romance was synonymous was frivolity, girlishness and whimsy. In 2020, we don\u2019t need to reject our femininity to be strong or powerful and, as is always the way, what we wear reflects our evolved attitudes. Far from the power suits and bold shoulders, looks that typically characterised power dressing, romantic dresses are on the rise, imbuing a softer strength that offers a different kind of armour.<\/p>\n

The leader of the pack is Pierpaolo Piccoli whose graceful, voluminous gowns have moved numerous editors (and Celine Dion) to tears. Structural silhouettes come in the most romantic of fabrics and exuberant, joyful shades, favoured by Frances McDormand, Lady Gaga and Lizzo. \u201cToday, romanticism is not a weakness, it\u2019s a strength,\u201d said the acclaimed designer said in 2018. \u201cYou can be assertive and not be aggressive. Every hero or heroine in romanticism has had to pay sacrifice. If you\u2019re rational you\u2019re fine but if you\u2019re a romanticist you have to pay sacrifice. I think it\u2019s time to say you can be a romanticist and everything can still be fucking good.\u201d<\/p>\n

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“Romanticism is not a weakness, it\u2019s a strength”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Of course, there\u2019s Alexander McQueen, where Sarah Burton has made soft power the USP of the brand. Tailoring, she says, whether it be a dress or a jacket, is \u201cabout strength, but it\u2019s also about being held\u201d. No longer do the same power dressing codes apply. While the popularity of tailoring on and off the catwalk is not to be dismissed, the rise of romantic styles are reflective of the new ways in which women are choosing to dress in a way that makes them feel strong and confident. Emilia Wickstead\u2019s sophisticated, feminine dresses come with an architectural twist, while Cecilie Bahnsen\u2019s pretty pastel looks are juxtaposed with sculptural shapes. Few could challenge the power of Comme des Gar\u00e7on\u2019s dramatic, avant-garde take on romance, nor the dark, exquisite romance at industry favourite Simone Rocha. Molly Goddard\u2019s frothy tulle dresses feel subversive rather than wet. In fact, one of the label\u2019s most famous poster girls is Killing Eve<\/em>\u2019s Villanelle, a serial killer who, aptly given her choice of clothing, subverts typical notions of femininity.<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t<\/p>\n\"Jodie<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u201cThe conversations we’re having as a society about power and gender, identity and politics closely relate to clothing and fashion design because creating, feeling and projecting power is associated with what we have to say, what we stand for, and how we appear,\u201d says Dr Rosie Findlay course leader MA Fashion Cultures at London College of Fashion. \u201cWhat kinds of clothing makes any given individual feel powerful is subjective, dependent on how they feel about themselves, how they conceive of power and how that translates into textures, silhouette and the feel of clothes on one’s body.\u201d<\/p>\n

The demand for romantic dresses is increasing. In January, Dover Street Market opened a dedicated space for Cecilie Bahnsen\u2019s voluminous, pretty designs and last year, the balloon-sleeved, smocked styles at new brand Sleeper became an instant summer hit. Harrods fashion director Lydia King says the store has noticed an increase in sales for romantic looks.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt Harrods, we have seen romantic styles evolve as the demand continues to increase throughout the industry,\u201d she told us. \u201cTraditional fashion maisons such as Valentino, Miu Miu and Chloe, where romance is part of their DNA take much more of a classic approach to romance through their exquisite embellishments and use of ruffles and lace. We\u2019re also now starting to see the style filter into more contemporary designers such as ROTATE who are adding their own modern twist to the trend.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t<\/p>\n\"Cecilie<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Cecilie Bahnsen spring\/summer 2020<\/figcaption>

\n\tCourtesy<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

For Cecilie Bahnsen, the rise of the romantic dress as an empowered statement is no surprise. “We\u2019ve had a long time with athleisure, sportswear and masculine styles, so maybe a lot of designers are reacting against that,” she says. “I feel feminine and beautiful in a dress… It\u2019s about finding femininity and beauty in a new way.”<\/p>\n

The more contemporary versions of the romantic dress can be viewed as adult versions of children\u2019s party dresses, which could be problematic when viewed through the prism of dressing grown women like children. But, as Dr Findlay points out, the volume of these looks provides a crucial point of difference. \u201cThese dresses take up space, they take light colours, tulle, ribbons, and place them on adult bodies, perhaps reframing the ‘frivolity’ of these textures and colours,\u201d she says. \u201cSo, they could be read as claiming something – a vision of femininity, taking up space in the world – that could make someone feel powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n

This idea of volume and taking up space also plays a key role in Emilia Wickstead\u2019s styles, which have been worn by the Duchess of Sussex, Lauren Dern and Lupita Nyong\u2019o. \u201cI use volume for different reasons,\u201d she says. \u201cOften it is about strength.\u201d She references the custom-made dress she created for Olivia Colman to wear at this year\u2019s Golden Globes. \u201cIt had a streamlined hem with a sleek train, contrasted with bigger sleeves that gave the dress a powerful silhouette,\u201d she says. \u201cBut, it\u2019s also about a sense of playfulness and glamour. I\u2019m nostalgic by nature and love the theatre of wearing something whimsical. It\u2019s about confidence and the joy that comes from dressing up.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Olivia Colman wearing Emilia Wickstead at the Golden Globes 2020<\/figcaption>

\n\tVALERIE MACON<\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Bahnsen says the voluminous nature of the fabrics that she uses have a physical impact on the wearer. \u201cWhen I wear one of these dresses, I walk differently,\u201d she explains. \u201cYou become more aware of yourself when you have a big bouncy skirt on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although fashion\u2019s approach to modern romance is varied, there is one commonality \u2013 comfort. These dresses billow and move \u2013 while the silhouettes differ, they\u2019re roomy and allow for maximum movement. These aren\u2019t looks that sculpt or compress the body, they\u2019re designed to be lived in on an everyday basis. They\u2019re often teamed with boots, chunky sandals or trainers, which not only add modernity, but also ease. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing more powerful than feeling carefree, and I\u2019m a big believer that you can be well-dressed and comfortable at the same time,\u201d says Wickstead, who tries on everything she designs to ensure it\u2019s comfortable.<\/p>\n

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There\u2019s nothing more powerful than feeling carefree<\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

It\u2019s a sentiment echoes by rising brand Sleeper, which was founded by former fashion editors Kate Zubarieva and Asya Varetsa initially as a pyjama brand. The romantic fabrics used, airy linens and lightweight silk-satins, were so luxe that shoppers started wearing them as ready-to-wear.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we were creating Sleeper, we were aspiring it to be the uniform for life\u2019s happiest moments,\u201d said Zubarieva. \u201cWe wanted women to feel confident and real confidence comes with comfort. Our dresses are not only party-appropriate but also really comfortable for breastfeeding, taking long walks, exploring the world and being the best version of yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t<\/p>\n\"Sleeper\"<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Sleeper spring\/summer 2020<\/figcaption>

\n\tCourtesy<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cWhenever you feel comfortable and good in something, you also feel strong,\u201d adds Bahnsen. \u201cIt\u2019s not just about the big shoulder or a tight waist, it\u2019s about having that comfort where your own personality can feel shine through. That\u2019s strength.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bahnsen raises a good point. Ultimately, what someone wears to make them feel powerful varies. It\u2019s a personal choice and in a society where we\u2019re being encouraged to display our individuality, empowered style is naturally a messy state of affairs. It\u2019s too simplistic to say it is power shoulders and androgyny, and reductive to say it\u2019s about cinched-in waists and bombshell silhouette. Power dressing today is about displaying individuality, be it Billy Porter in a white tux with a train dripping in feathers, or Frances McDormand in a turquoise ruffled Valentino cape and headdress.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen a style is so feminine, it becomes powerful,\u201d says Shrimp\u2019s founder Hannah Weiland, who feels at her most powerful in an ethereal dress. \u201cYou are owning being a woman, being a girl. To me, it\u2019s the most powerful way to dress. Everyone has their own version of power-dressing\u2026 it\u2019s a personal outfit that allows you to be and feel your best self.\u201d<\/p>\n

What the wave of romantic dresses offer is an alternative to dictated codes, another way of dressing for power, and it\u2019s up to consumers, employers and designers to respond accordingly \u2013 to understand that romantic femininity is not weakness.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe think that power dressing is no longer about \u2018dressing\u2019 itself,\u201d concludes Sleeper\u2019s Varetsa. \u201cReal power lies in knowing and accepting your true self. Female strength lies in self-love and the freedom of self-expression. The best part is – we now have lots of instruments to showcase this strength no matter whether with the puffed sleeves or with shoulder pads.\u201d<\/p>\n

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[ad_1] Once upon a time, the word romance was synonymous was frivolity, girlishness and whimsy. In 2020, we don\u2019t need to reject our femininity to be strong or powerful and, as is always the way, what we wear reflects our evolved attitudes. Far from the power suits and bold shoulders, looks that typically characterised power …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":199079,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-199078","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-33"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/199078","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=199078"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/199078\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/199079"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=199078"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=199078"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=199078"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}